On January 1, 2025, a deposit-refund system will be launched in Poland. This means that a fee will be added to some packaged beverages sold, a deposit that customers can then recover after returning the empty packaging to a dedicated collection point. The deposit-refund system aims to increase the level of selective collection of plastic, metal, and reusable glass packaging waste. Experience in other countries shows that it is a very effective tool for selective waste collection.
The deposit-refund system in Poland – main assumptions
The system will cover three types of beverage packaging:
● single-use plastic bottles with a capacity of up to three liters, including their plastic caps and lids,
● reusable glass bottles with a capacity of up to one and a half liters,
● metal cans with a capacity of up to one liter.
A deposit will be charged upon purchase of products in these containers and refunded to the consumer upon return of the empty containers to dedicated collection points. Importantly, proof of purchase will not be required. The maximum deposit required by law is PLN 2, but its actual value is set by the Minister of Climate Affairs in a regulation. The current draft regulation specifies PLN 0.50 for plastic and metal packaging and PLN 1 for reusable glass bottles. Funds from unclaimed deposits and from the sale of materials from packaging waste processing will be used to finance the operation of the deposit system.
Under the deposit-refund system, the obligation to collect empty packaging will primarily apply to large retail outlets. Stores with an area exceeding 200 square meters will be required to collect empty packaging and refund the deposit, while smaller stores, with an area of less than 200 square meters, will be able to voluntarily join the collection system. However, any retail outlet offering products in packaging covered by the deposit-refund system will be required to collect a deposit from customers.
Deposit-refund system – legal basis
The deposit-refund system in Poland is based on the Act of June 13, 2013, on the management of packaging and packaging waste, as amended by the Act of July 13, 2023, amending the Act on the management of packaging and packaging waste and certain other acts. This Act establishes the principles and conditions for the system’s operation, specifying, among other things, the types of packaging covered by the system, the deposit amount, and the procedures for its return. It implements the provisions of Directive (EU) 2019/904 of the European Parliament and of the Council of June 5, 2019, on reducing the impact of certain plastic products on the environment, known as the Plastics Directive or the Single-Use Plastics Directive (SUP), which requires European Union member states to achieve specific collection targets for beverage packaging up to 3 liters.
Deposit System – Collection Levels
Following the Plastics Directive, the Packaging and Packaging Waste Management Act established minimum separate collection levels for packaging waste that must be achieved. These levels will be gradually increased over the first five years of the deposit system’s operation to ensure continuous progress in the amount of packaging waste collected. The target for the first year, 2025, is 77% for each of the three packaging groups. In subsequent years, this target increases to 81%, 84%, and 87%, respectively, to reach a target of 90% by 2029.
A deposit system for the benefit of all
The introduction of a deposit system has a significant impact on the environment. It is expected to contribute to reducing the amount of waste going to landfills, as well as to increasing the efficiency of recycling processes and building a circular economy.
Currently, approximately 50 countries worldwide, including 16 European countries, use deposit systems. Their experience shows that they are a very effective tool for the circular economy. For example, in Germany, which has been operating the system since 2003, the collection rate for beverage containers reaches up to 98%.
